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The Hague - Russia may be on the verge of hitting back with its own economic sanctions, in a way which could hurt Europe and the West.
According to news reports in various international media, the Russians are considering closing Siberian air space to Western airlines. This would mean that flights between northern Europe and the Far East – destinations like Beijing, Tokyo or Seoul – would have to be rerouted southwards across Central Asia or the Middle East, adding thousands of kilometres to journeys.
This, in turn, would add considerably to the burning of kerosene and carriers’ fuel costs. Airlines flying on this route include Lufthansa, KLM/Air France and British Airways, all of whom are already struggling.
This follows European Union sanctions forcing low-cost Russian carrier Dobrolyot, operated by Aeroflot, to suspend all flights. Apparently, the move now being considered by Moscow would be in retaliation for this.
According to the Russian business daily Vedomosti, Russia would lose out as well. Western airlines crossing Russian air space en route to the Far East now fork out about $300m a year for the privilege.
The Dutch financial daily Financieele Dagblad reported on Tuesday that KLM is looking at alternative routes, even though they may be “significantly” more costly than the direct route over Siberia. During the Cold War, Western aircraft had to fly via the Middle East or Alaska.
President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that he had ordered his officials to draw up possible alternatives in order to punish the West for sanctions. However, these countermeasures had to spare Russian consumers from being disadvantaged.
- Fin24
According to news reports in various international media, the Russians are considering closing Siberian air space to Western airlines. This would mean that flights between northern Europe and the Far East – destinations like Beijing, Tokyo or Seoul – would have to be rerouted southwards across Central Asia or the Middle East, adding thousands of kilometres to journeys.
This, in turn, would add considerably to the burning of kerosene and carriers’ fuel costs. Airlines flying on this route include Lufthansa, KLM/Air France and British Airways, all of whom are already struggling.
This follows European Union sanctions forcing low-cost Russian carrier Dobrolyot, operated by Aeroflot, to suspend all flights. Apparently, the move now being considered by Moscow would be in retaliation for this.
According to the Russian business daily Vedomosti, Russia would lose out as well. Western airlines crossing Russian air space en route to the Far East now fork out about $300m a year for the privilege.
The Dutch financial daily Financieele Dagblad reported on Tuesday that KLM is looking at alternative routes, even though they may be “significantly” more costly than the direct route over Siberia. During the Cold War, Western aircraft had to fly via the Middle East or Alaska.
President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that he had ordered his officials to draw up possible alternatives in order to punish the West for sanctions. However, these countermeasures had to spare Russian consumers from being disadvantaged.
- Fin24
